 | Queen Catharine |  |
PROLOGUE: Spoken by Mr. Batterton.
'Tis grown so hard a Task to please the Town,We scarce can tell what Prologue will go down:
But right or wrong a Prologue must be writ,
A dull one sometimes may divert the Pit,
Substantial dullness does as well as wit.
For if you laugh, what matter whence the mirth,
Whether from plenty of the Wit, or dearth?
A heavy English Tale to day, we show
As e'er was told by Hollingshead or Stow,
Shakespear did oft his Countries worthies chuse,
Nor did they by his Pen their Lustre lose.
Hero's revive thro' him, and Hotspur's rage,
Doubly adorns and animates the Stage:
But how shall Woman after him succeed,
And what excuse can her presumption plead.
Who with enervate voice dares wake the mighty dead;
To please your martial men she must despair,
And therefore Courts the favour of the fair:
From huffing Hero's she hopes no relief,
But trusts in Catharine's Love, and Isabella's grief.
| Queen Catharine | |